Apparel system and protective device

ABSTRACT

A protective apparel system includes an article of apparel having a first part of a magnetic fastening system and at least one protective element having a second part of the magnetic fastening system. The first part of the magnetic fastening system being joinable to the second part to attach the at least one protective element to the article of apparel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved apparel system and protective device. In particular, the invention relates to sports apparel with protective elements that provide ballistic impact protection during engagement in the sports activity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, participants in sports (e.g. football, rugby, baseball, lacrosse, field hockey, etc.) wear protective gear to cushion the force of impacts that are regularly received during those events. In recent years, the dangers of high-force impacts to the elbow, knee, wrist, or other joints or limbs during such contact sports have been a matter of focus. The dangers of these impacts can be diminished or minimized by effectively cushioning participants from the forces of impacts. Accordingly, improved structures, such as impact-resistant gear, are desired to better protect and lessen the impact forces experienced by those participants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a protective apparel system includes

an article of apparel, said article of apparel having a first part of a magnetic fastening system; and

a protective device having a second part of the magnetic fastening system, the first part of the magnetic fastening system being joinable to the second part to attach the protective device to the article of apparel.

The article of apparel can be a shirt-type or pants type garment. In embodiments, the apparel can also be a sleeve type garment that covers a portion or the entirety of an arm or a leg of a wearer.

A variety of materials may be utilized in manufacturing the article of apparel. In general, the article of apparel may be formed from knitted, woven, or non-woven textile materials that include rayon, nylon, polyester, polyacrylic, cotton, wool, or silk, for example.

In some configurations, the textile materials may include coatings that form a breathable and water-resistant barrier, or polymer sheets may be utilized in place of textile materials. The article of apparel may also be formed from laminated or otherwise layered materials that include two or more layers of textile materials, polymer sheets or combinations of textile materials and polymer sheets.

In some configurations, the article of apparel may have areas of different elasticity. For example, in the area of the article of apparel in which the magnetic fastening system is arranged it may be beneficial to adjust the elasticity the article to the strength of the magnetic force of the magnetic fastening system. If the fabric of the article of apparel is too easily stretchable, this may make it more difficult to detach the protective element(s) from the garment. In other words, the garment may undergo excessive stretching before the restoring force of the fabric exceeds the magnetic attraction of the magnetic fastening system. As a result, it may be beneficial for the article of apparel to have elastic properties in the area in which the magnetic fastening system is arranged that limit the degree of stretching of the article of apparel during removal of the protective element(s).

In some embodiments, the article of apparel may have areas that are lined with a slip resistant material such as rubber, rubber substitutes or elastic to maintain the apparel's placement on the wearers body. The presence of a slip resistant lining may be particularly beneficial in the area of the article of apparel in which the magnetic fastening system is arranged to reduce the tendency of the protective element to become displaced as a result of movement of the article of apparel in the region in which the protective element is attached.

In embodiments, the protective apparel system comprises at least two protective elements, each provided with the second part of the magnetic fastening system, wherein the first and second attachment elements can be arranged relative to each on the item of apparel with variable degrees of overlap between the first and second protective element. In this way, the protective elements can be adjusted to the length of the garments wearer's limb.

The protective elements can vary in size shape and thickness and can be made a of different materials such as metal, plastic, polymer foam or woven or non-woven fabric material.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the apparel system may further include an outer item of apparel, for example a team jersey, worn on top of the item of apparel, wherein at least a portion of the outer article of apparel is arranged between the article of apparel and the protective element(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other advantages of the invention will be further described and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, the claims and the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1A shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the apparel system according to the present invention with the protective device detached from the apparel;

FIG. 1B shows the embodiment of FIG. 1A with the protective device attached to the apparel;

FIG. 1C shows the embodiment of FIG. 1A with the protective device attached to the apparel;

FIGS. 2A-C show schematic side views of an embodiment of the apparel system according to the present invention;

FIGS. 3A-C show schematic side views of another embodiment according to the present invention;

FIGS. 4A-B show schematic side views of another embodiment of the apparel system according to the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the apparel system according to the invention with the protective element detached form the apparel;

FIG. 5B is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 taken in the direction indicated by the double arrow;

FIGS. 5C-D is a plan view of another embodiment of the apparel system;

FIGS. 5E-G is a plan view of another embodiment of the apparel system;

FIG. 5H is a perspective view of an item of apparel with the embodiment of FIGS. C-D;

FIG. 5I is a plan view of another embodiment of the apparel system

FIG. 5J is a perspective view of another embodiment of the apparel system according to the invention;

FIG. 5K shows a plan view of the item of apparel of FIG. 5J; and

FIG. 5L shows a cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 5K taken along the direction indicated by the double arrow.

FIG. 6A is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the apparel system;

FIG. 6B is a cross sectional views of another embodiment of the apparel system;

FIGS. 7A-B are cross sectional views of another embodiment of the apparel system

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of an embodiment of a magnet of the magnetic fastening system according to the invention;

FIGS. 8A-B are perspective views of another embodiment of the magnetic fastening system according to the invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the apparel system according to the invention;

FIG. 10A is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the apparel system according to the invention;

FIG. 10B is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 10A;

FIGS. 11A-B are perspective views of an embodiment of the protective elements of the apparel system according to the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Throughout all the figures, same or corresponding elements may generally be indicated by same reference numerals. These depicted embodiments are to be understood as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting in any way. It should also be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted.

Turning now to the drawing, and in particular to FIGS. 1A-C, there is shown an exemplary embodiment of the apparel system according to the invention generally indicated with reference numeral 1. The apparel system 1 includes an item of apparel 10 that has a first part 30 of a magnetic fastening system and a protective element 20 having a second part 40 of the magnetic fastening system. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-C, the item of apparel 10 is a long-sleeved undershirt type garment, which is shown from the back. FIG. 1A shows the apparel system 1 with the protective device 20 detached from the apparel 10 and FIG. 1B with the protective device 20 attached to the apparel 10 through engagement of the first and second part 30, 40 of the magnetic fastening system.

FIG. 1C shows an embodiment of the apparel system 1, which further comprises a further item of apparel 11, for example a team jersey, which is worn on top of the undershirt type garment 10. The sleeve of the further garment 11 is sandwiched between the first and second part 30, 40 of the magnetic fastening system.

FIGS. 2A-C show another embodiment of the apparel system 1 in which the protective device comprises two protective elements 20 a, 20 b and in which the item of apparel 10 is an elastic sleeve that covers at least a portion of the upper arm and the forearm of the wearer.

FIG. 2B shows the apparel system 1 with the protective elements 20 a, 20 b arranged on the upper arm portion of the sleeve 10 via interaction of the first and second parts 30, 40 of the magnetic fastening system. As shown in FIGS. 2B-C, the protective elements 20 a, 20 b can be arranged on the sleeve 10 at different positions relative to each other. This allows adjusting the protective elements to the length of the limb, for example the arm, of the wearer.

In an embodiment, the first and second part 30, 40 of the magnetic fastening system can both be permanent magnets, for example neodymium magnets. In other embodiments, one of the first and second part 30, 40 can be a permanent magnet and the other of the first and second part 30, 40 can be made of, or include, a magnetically attractable material, for example a ferromagnetic material such as iron or an iron-based material.

The shape and size of the first and second part 30, 40 of the magnetic fastening system can vary. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-C, the first and second parts 30, 40 are configured as flat elongate strips. In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A-C, the first and second parts 30, 40 can each be configured as an array of individual members. Advantageously, the members of the array of the first and second parts 30, 40 are spaced so as to align with each other. This allows attaching the protective elements 20 a, 20 b on the apparel 10 at predetermined degrees of overlap between the protective elements 20 a, 20 b.

FIGS. 4A-B shows another embodiment of the apparel system in which one of the protective elements 20 a is arranged on the upper arm portion of the sleeve 10 and the other protective element 20 b on the forearm portion of the sleeve 10. In this embodiment, the first part 30 of the magnetic fastening system comprises two arrays of individual members with one array of the members arranged on the forearm and another array of the members arranged on the upper arm portion of the sleeve 10.

The first part 30 of the magnetic fastening system can be fixed to the apparel 10 in different ways. FIGS. 5A-B show a cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 2C taken along the direction indicated by the double arrows. As shown in FIGS. 5A-B, the item of apparel 10 can have a two layered configuration having an outer layer 10 a and an inner layer 10 b that extend over at least a portion of the apparel 10. The first part 30 of the magnetic fastening system is secured between the outer layer and the inner layer of the apparel 10.

In other embodiments, the first part 30 of the magnetic fastening system can also be secured on an outer surface of the apparel 10, for example by an appropriate adhesive. A skilled person will be able to select the appropriate adhesive depending on the fabric used for the apparel. Exemplary adhesives include hot melts and silicone glues.

In other embodiments, the apparel 10 can be configured for detachable arrangement of the first part of the magnetic fastening system. In an embodiment, the apparel 10 can be provided with a receptacle for receiving the first part 30 of the magnetic fastening system. As shown in FIGS. 5C-D and H, the receptacle can be configured as a pocket 50 with an opening 50 a for receiving the first or second part of the magnetic fastening system and a flap 50 b with closure system 50 c for closing the pocket 50. The closure system 50 c can be configured as a snap button or a hook and loop system. In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 5E-G, the receptacle can be configured as a pouch 51 with a generally central opening 51 a. The opening 51 a can be formed by opposing borders 51 b of an elastic fabric. The borders can be pulled apart in the direction of the arrows to accommodate and enable insertion of the first portion 30 of the magnetic fastening system in the pouch 51.

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 5J-L, the item of apparel can be in the form of a strap or band 70 on which or in which the first part 30 of the magnetic fastening system is provided. As shown in FIG. 5K, the strap or band 70 can have ends 70 a, b for fastening the strap or band about the part of the body of the wearer to be protected. The ends 70 a, b can be configured for adjustment to the circumference of the wearers arm or leg, for example the ends 70 a, b can be configured as buckle type closure or hook and loop type closure. The strap or band 70 can for example be worn close to a joint to be protected, for example close to the elbow of the wearer. As shown in FIG. 5J, the protective element 20 is attached to the arm of the wearer via interaction between the first part 30 and the second part 40 of the magnetic fastening system. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5J, the protective element 20 has a concave inner side facing the arm of the wearer, with the second part 40 of the magnetic fastening system provided on the inner side of the protective element 20.

The receptacle can be attached to the outer surface of the apparel 10 by known stitching techniques or by application of appropriate adhesives such as hotmelts or silicone glues. The receptacle can also be integrally formed with the apparel 10. For example, the receptacle can be formed by the fabric of the apparel.

In other embodiments, the first part 30 of the magnetic fastening system can be secured on an outer surface of the apparel 10 with a hook and loop system as shown in FIG. 51 . The hook and loop system comprises a first part 60 a secured on the apparel 10 and a second part 60 b secured on the first portion 30 of the magnetic fastening system.

An advantage of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5C-H is that the first portion of the magnetic fastening system can be detached from the apparel 10 for example for washing the apparel.

FIGS. 6A-B show another embodiment of the magnetic fastening system of the apparel system 1. In this embodiment, the first part 30 of the magnetic fastening system is provided with a recess 30 a dimensioned for receiving at least a portion of the second part 40 of the magnetic fastening system.

FIGS. 6A and B respectively show a cross sectional view of the apparel system 1 along a longitudinal extent thereof. In FIG. 6A, the first part 30 of the fastening system is configured as an elongate strip and is provided with adjacent recesses 30 a for receiving respective protruding portions of the second part 40 of the fastening system. In FIG. 6B the first part 30 of the fastening system is configured as an array of adjacent members, each of which is provided with a recess 30 a for receiving a protruding portion of respective second parts 40 of the fastening system. An advantage of this embodiment is that displacement of the protective element 20 parallel to the surface of the apparel 10 during the sports activity is prevented or reduced.

FIGS. 7A-C show another embodiment of the magnetic fastening system. In this embodiment, the magnetic fastening system comprises as first part of the magnetic fastening system a permanent magnet 30 with a recess 30 a and as second part a planar member 40 with a protruding section 40 a for engagement in the recess of the magnet. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the first part 30 and the second part 40 of the magnetic fastening system can be implemented as the first and second members of the closure system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,806 the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. An example of the magnet 30 is shown in FIG. 7C.

Currently preferred is an embodiment in which the first part 30 of the magnetic fastening system secured in or on the apparel is configured as the magnet having the recess and the second part 40 of the magnetic fastening system secured on the protective element 40 is configured as the planar member 40 having the protruding portion. However, in other embodiments, the first part 30 can be configured as the planar member and the second part 40 as the magnet.

The magnetic fastening system is configured for detachment of the protective elements from the apparel. Preferably, the apparel system 1 is configured so that the protective element(s) 20, 20 a, 20 b is (are) sufficiently secured on the apparel 10 to prevent detachment of the protective element(s) as a result of movement of the wearer during the sports activity, while at the same time being detachable from the apparel 10 without having to use excessive force or overstretching of the apparel.

FIGS. 8A-B show an embodiment of the magnetic fastening system which facilitates disengagement of the first and second parts 30, 40. In this embodiment, the first and second parts 30, 40 are both permanent magnets with unlike polarities indicated by the letters N and S arranged opposite each other. As shown on the left side of FIG. 8A, unlike polarities of the magnets are aligned, causing the magnets 30, 40 to attract each other and thus engagement and securement of the protective element on the apparel.

The magnet 40 has a central shaft 41 a and a handle 41 for rotating the magnet 40 about rotation axis A, indicated by the dashed dotted line. For disengagement of the magnets 30, 40, magnet 40 is turned in the direction of the arrow by handle 41 until like polarities of the magnets 30, 40 are aligned. As a result, the magnets 30, 40 repel each other causing disengagement of the magnetic fastening system disengage.

FIG. 8B shows a similar embodiment to that of FIG. 8A with the difference that the magnets 30, 40 comprise 4 segments with alternating polarities N and S. As a result, the magnet 40 requires a smaller angle of rotation to achieve alignment of like polarities compared to the embodiment of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the apparel system 1 in which the magnetic fastening system is configured as shown in FIG. 8A or 8B. The vertical shaft portion 41 a extends through the protective element 20. The embodiment of FIG. 9 further includes tension spring 42 which provides a spring force in opposition to rotation of the shaft and biases the magnet 40 to an angular position in which unlike polarities of the magnets 30, 40 are aligned. When the magnet 40 is rotated by operation of the handle 41, same polarities of the magnets 30, 40 become aligned and the magnetic fastening system disengages due to repulsion of the like polarities. At the same time, tension spring 41 a becomes tensioned and upon release of the handle 41 causes rotation of the magnet 40 to the position in which opposite polarities of the magnets 30, 40 are aligned.

FIGS. 10A-B show a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 9 , which enables simultaneous operation of adjacent pairs of magnets 30, 40. FIG. 10A shows a cross sectional view and FIG. 10B a top plan view of the embodiment. The magnets 30, 40 of the adjacent magnet pairs are constructed as in the embodiment of FIG. 9 . Each magnet 30, 40 is provided with central shaft 41 a and arm 36. Arranged between the adjacent pairs of magnets is actuator 34, which is supported on the protective element 20 for rotation about rotation axis A1. The actuator 34 has diametrically opposed arms 35 which are articulately connected to the arms 36 of the shafts 41 a via rods 33. Turning of the actuator 34 about rotation axis A1 in clockwise direction causes clockwise rotation of the shafts 41 a about rotation axes A2. As a result, like polarities of the magnets 30, 40 become aligned and cause disengagement of the protective element 20 from the apparel 10. As in the embodiment of FIG. 9 , the embodiment of FIGS. 10A-B also includes a tension spring 42 that causes the actuator 34 to return to its starting position after actuation.

The shape and size of the protective element(s) can vary. Advantageously, the guard element(s) are shaped so that at least a portion thereof conforms to the contour of the limb of the wearer. FIGS. 11A-B show an exemplary embodiment of protective elements 20 a, 20 b, each having a part 40 magnetic fastening system which can be a magnet or a magnetically attractable material as discussed above. The protective elements 20 a, 20 b have a concave inner surface that generally conforms to the outer contour of the limb, for example the forearm, upper arm, shin or thigh of the wearer. As shown in FIGS. 11A-B the protective element 20 a has a flared portion 21 dimensioned to receive an end portion of protective element 20 b. Protective elements 20 a, 20 b can thus be arranged relative to each other with different degrees of overlap to adjust the length of the limb of the wearer.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in connection with currently preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and practical application to thereby enable a person skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. A protective apparel system, comprising: an article of apparel, said article of apparel having a first part of a magnetic fastening system; and a first protective element having a second part of the magnetic fastening system, the first part of the magnetic fastening system being joinable to the second part to attach the first protective element to the article of apparel.
 2. The protective apparel system of claim 1, wherein the first part and the second part of the magnetic fastening system comprises one of a magnetic material and a magnet attracting the magnetic material.
 3. The protective apparel system of claim 1, wherein the first part and the second part of the magnetic fastening system comprise a magnet.
 4. The protective apparel system of claim 1, further comprising a second said protective element, wherein the first and second protective elements are shaped and dimensioned for attachment of the first and second protective elements on the article of apparel with different degrees of overlap relative to each other.
 5. The protective apparel system of claim 1, further comprising an outer item of apparel, wherein at least a portion of the outer article of apparel is arranged between the article of apparel and the first protective element.
 6. The protective apparel system of claim 1, further comprising fastening means for detachably fastening the first part of the magnetic fastening system to the article of apparel.
 7. The protective apparel system of claim 6, wherein the fastening means comprises a hook and loop fastening system.
 8. The protective apparel system of claim 1, wherein the article of apparel is provided with a receptacle, said first part of the magnetic fastening system received in the receptacle.
 9. The protective apparel system of claim 8, wherein the receptacle has an opening for insertion and removal of the first part of the magnetic fastening system into and from the receptacle.
 10. The protective apparel system of claim 6, wherein the receptacle is formed integrally with the article of apparel.
 11. The protective apparel system of claim 1, wherein the item of apparel is configured as an adjustable strap or band.
 12. The protective apparel system of claim 11, wherein the first part of the magnetic fastening system is situated in an inside of the strap or band.
 13. The protective apparel system of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second part of the magnetic fastening system is provided with a recess, with at least a portion of the other one of the first and second part of the magnetic fastening system engaged in the recess so as to prevent movement of the protective element relative to the article of apparel.
 14. The protective apparel system of claim 1, wherein the first part and the second part of the magnetic fastening system are first and second permanent magnets with unlike polarities arranged opposite each other to induce magnetic attraction between each other and thereby engage and secure the first protective element on the apparel.
 15. The protective apparel system of claim 14, wherein the second permanent magnet is adjustable to align like polarities as between the first and second permanent magnets to induce magnetic repulsion and thereby disengage and detach the first protective element from the apparel.
 16. The protective apparel system of claim 14, wherein each of the permanent magnets includes four segments with alternating polarities.
 17. The protective apparel system of claim 14, wherein a shaft extends from the second magnet and extends through the first protective element to enable rotation of the second magnet with respect to the first magnet.
 18. The protective apparel system of claim 17, further comprising a resilient member which provides a spring force in opposition to rotation of the shaft and biases the second magnet to an angular position in which the unlike polarities of the first and second magnets are aligned.
 19. The protective apparel system of claim 14, wherein the first magnet includes first adjacent pairs of first magnets and the second magnet includes second adjacent pairs of magnets, the first and second adjacent pairs being arranged for alignment with each other, each second magnet of the second adjacent pairs of magnets including a shaft which are interconnected via an elongated arm, said elongated arm having an actuator which enables contemporaneous rotation of the second adjacent pairs of magnets with respect to the first adjacent pairs of magnets to control alignment of polarities as between the first and second adjacent pairs of magnets. 